Interview: “It Had to Be You” Writer/Director Sasha Gordon

We were privileged to be able to interview writer/director Sasha Gordon about her film It Had to Be Youwhich you can read our review of by going clicking on THIS. Normally a composer this is her directorial debut. Without further ado let’s get to the good stuff.

FSR: So in the film there’s a very empowering message for women that even if he wants to put a ring on it sometimes you’re just not ready. When you were developing the treatment is that something you actively sought to foster?

SG: For me the message is more about the dissonance between what society/pop culture expects of women in a given situation and the reality. I grew up with a lot of movies/magazines/commercials that propagated the idea that every woman is dying to get married and fantasizing about the moment when she’ll be proposed to. I wanted to show a more nuanced side to that milestone. Like any big life moment it can be confusing, overwhelming etc … and I think feeling that you’re “supposed” to be experiencing just one simple emotion just adds pressure to an already potentially stressful moment.

FSR: As a writer how fun was flipping the gender expectations on their heads?

SG: I didn’t consciously flip the gender expectations I just told a story that was very close to home for me/inspired by my own bumpy road to I do.

FSR: From my research I found that you’re a composer yourself so having said that how much of Sonia is inspired by you?

SG: I would say 60% of Sonia is inspired by my personal experience and 40% by my closest female friends.

FSR: This cast is great can you describe working with Cristin (Milioti) and maybe provide an interesting story from on set?

FSR: The film falls within the realm of the “romantic comedy” a genre I’m a huge fan of but that frankly has a stigma to it. What are some films, for you in this genre that you look to a can call a masterpiece?

SG: “Annie Hall” probably was my biggest inspiration. “When Harry Met Sally” is a classic, I don’t know about masterpiece, but definitely top of the genre. I also love “Bridget Jones’s Diary” and

FSR: Looking into your filmography you’ve worked extensively as a composer and since we’re talking favorite any musicals or musical moments in film that stick out to you as favorites.

SG: I love all the music if Nino Rota, Enio Morricone. Fellini’s films use music in a magical way; it’s always been an inspiration to me.

FSR: Lastly in the favorite film area if you could only have two films with you to view on a deserted island for all of eternity what would you choose.

SG: I don’t know that I would choose a film. If I could choose anything I would choose a season of “30 Rock”. But if it had to be films, probably “Tootsie” and “Bourne Identity”.

FSR: Having a small budget can often make the creation of movies more difficult what sort of difficulties did you face, what was done to overcome these.

SG: It was quite hard to accommodate all the locations we had in the film given the budget. Going to Italy was particularly challenging. But I had a wonderful producer, Rachel Brenna, and team around me that worked incredibly hard stretching our resources to meet our needs and getting favors etc …

FSR: Finally would you mind pitching to the audience why they need to see “It Had to Be You” as soon as possible.

SG: Well, if you love rom coms, but were losing faith in the genre, I think “It Had To Be You” is a refreshing return to when rom coms were great but with a modern twist in plot and style of humor.

PLEASE visit and LIKE the films on FACEBOOK and if you read our review or dug this interview visit AMAZON or iTUNES to rent or buy the film. I would recommend you do so as it’s a pretty good film, and one that like Sasha said I think will change your mind on the whole RomCom thing.